3 minute read

Procurement earns a shot at Te Aroha; Stablemates turned out; Crack stayer straight to cup.

Procurement earns a shot at Te Aroha

Procurement’s last-start second at Wellington has given her connections the confidence to press on to a higher level with the mare.

The Cambridge four-year-old was narrowly beaten by The Diamond One in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes and she will make her next appearance in the Gr.1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes.

“She’ll go to Te Aroha and that will be one of the hottest fields you could find, but she was very good at Trentham and she’s come through it well,” trainer Stephen Marsh said.

Stablemates turned out

Taranaki stablemates Just The Tip and Te Hana have gone for spells, but for very different reasons.

Dual Listed Marton and Wanganui Cups winner Just The Tip bled after he was unplaced in the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup and will be out for the mandatory three months.

“It was heart-breaking and he had never showed any indication of that happening,” trainer Janelle Millar said. “It wasn’t that bad though and he’ll get over it.”

Meanwhile, Te Hana is on a well-earned break after a profitable preparation which ended with a sixth placing in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes.

“She was very unlucky when Gwynethanne rolled out onto her and she could have placed,” Millar said. “She’s won four so she’s had a very good season.”

Crack stayer straight to cup

Red Cadeaux is a notable absentee from the $A1.5 million Gr.1 The BMW at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Ed Dunlop has decided to head straight for the $A1.6 million Gr.1 Sydney Cup at Randwick on April 11 with his popular veteran.

Hugh Bowman, who partnered the stayer when fifth in the Gr.1 Australian Cup at Flemington, is booked to ride the three-time Gr.1 Melbourne Cup placegetter in the Sydney Cup.

In other BMW news, Tim Clark has been confirmed as Rising Romance’s rider in the 2400 metre feature.

Clark has had one previous ride on the New Zealand mare when fourth in last year’s Gr.2 Tramway Stakes.